DICK'S Sporting Goods Reports Full Year 2018 Earnings Per Diluted Share of $3.24, Near the High-End of Its Guidance of $3.15 to 3.25

PITTSBURGH, March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS), the largest U.S. based full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, today reported sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended February 2, 2019.

Fourth Quarter Results (13 weeks compared to 14 weeks last year)

The Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended February 2, 2019 of $102.6 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, which was negatively impacted by approximately $0.08 per diluted share versus last year due to the shifted calendar. The Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended February 3, 2018 of $116.0 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, which was positively impacted by approximately $0.09 per diluted share for the 14th week.

On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended February 3, 2018 of $127.3 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, which was positively impacted by approximately $0.09 per diluted share for the 14th week. GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations are included in a table later in the release under the heading "GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations."

Adjusted for the calendar shift due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, which the Company believes is the best view of its business, consolidated same store sales decreased 2.2% on a 13-week to 13-week comparable basis. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased 6.5% to approximately $2.49 billion. Based on an unshifted calendar, consolidated same store sales for the fourth quarter decreased 3.7%. Fourth quarter 2017 consolidated same store sales decreased 2.0%.

"We are pleased with our fourth quarter results. Our core business performed quite well, as our athletes have responded positively to many of our initiatives, resulting in comp sales gains across key categories and double digit percentage increases in eCommerce and private brand sales," said Edward W. Stack, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "For 2018, we delivered earnings near the high end of our expectations, which represents an 8% increase over last year. This achievement is the direct result of the hard work and commitment from our over 40,000 talented teammates."

Mr. Stack continued, "As we look forward to 2019, we are enthusiastic about our business and expect to return to positive comp sales beginning in the second quarter. We will continue to make significant investments in our business to meet our athletes' ever-changing needs and grow our leadership position in the industry."

"In 2019, we are focused on enhancing our athletes' experience in our stores, improving our eCommerce fulfillment capabilities and elevating our technology talent and capabilities," added Lauren R. Hobart, President of DICK'S Sporting Goods. "This is an exciting time for our Company as we remain focused on building the best omni-channel experience in sporting goods."

Omni-channel Development

Adjusted for the calendar shift due to the 53rd week in 2017, eCommerce sales for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased approximately 17%. eCommerce penetration for the fourth quarter of 2018 was approximately 23% of total net sales, compared to approximately 19% during the fourth quarter of 2017.

In the fourth quarter, the Company closed three DICK'S Sporting Goods stores. As of February 2, 2019, the Company operated 729 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 47 states, with approximately 38.6 million square feet, 94 Golf Galaxy stores in 32 states, with approximately 1.9 million square feet and 35 Field & Stream stores in 16 states, with approximately 1.7 million square feet.

Store count, square footage and new stores are listed in a table later in the release under the heading "Store Count and Square Footage."

Balance Sheet

The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2018 with approximately $114 million in cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Over the course of the last 12 months, the Company continued to invest in omni-channel growth, while returning over $412 million to shareholders through share repurchases and quarterly dividends.

Total inventory increased 6.6% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018 as compared to the end of the fourth quarter of 2017. This planned increase was due primarily to strategic investments to support key growth categories.

Full Year Results (52 weeks compared to 53 weeks last year)

The Company reported consolidated net income for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019 of $319.9 million, or $3.24 per diluted share. The Company reported consolidated net income for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2018 of $323.4 million, or $3.01 per diluted share, which included approximately $0.09 per diluted share for the 53rd week.

On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated net income for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2018 of $324.3 million, or $3.01 per diluted share, which also included approximately $0.09 per diluted share for the 53rd week. GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations are included in a table later in the release under the heading "GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations."

Adjusted for the calendar shift due to the 53rd week in 2017 consolidated same store sales decreased 3.1% on a 52-week to 52-week comparable basis. Net sales for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019 decreased 1.8% from last year's 53 week period to approximately $8.44 billion. Fiscal 2017 consolidated same store sales decreased 0.3% on a 52-week to 52-week comparative basis.

Capital Allocation

On February 22, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.275 per share on the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The dividend is payable in cash on March 29, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2019. This dividend represents an increase of approximately 22% over the Company's previous quarterly per share amount and is equivalent to an annualized rate of $1.10 per share.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 957,000 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $35.23 per share, for a total cost of $33.7 million. In total for 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 9.6 million shares of its common stock at an average cost of $33.78 per share, for a total cost of $323.4 million, and has approximately $433 million remaining under its authorization that extends through 2021.

Full Year 2019 Outlook

Based on an estimated 95 million diluted shares outstanding, the Company currently projects earnings per diluted share to be approximately $3.15 to 3.35, which includes approximately $30 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, of net investments in business transformation initiatives. The Company's earnings per diluted share guidance includes the expectation of share repurchases to fully offset dilution in 2019. The Company reported earnings per diluted share of $3.24 for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019.

Consolidated same store sales are currently expected to be approximately flat to an increase of 2%, compared to a 3.1% decrease in 2018. The Company expects to deliver positive consolidated same store sales beginning in the second quarter.

The Company expects to open seven new DICK'S Sporting Goods stores and relocate three DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 2019. The Company also expects to open two new Golf Galaxy stores and relocate one Golf Galaxy store in 2019. Six of the new stores are expected to open during the third quarter.

In 2019, the Company anticipates capital expenditures to be approximately $230 million on a gross basis and approximately $200 million on a net basis. In 2018, capital expenditures were $198 million on a gross basis and $170 million on a net basis.

Conference Call Info

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the earnings conference call over the internet through the Company's website located at investors.DICKS.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, it will be archived on the Company's website for approximately twelve months.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company reports certain financial results that differ from what is reported under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include consolidated non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which management believes provides investors with useful supplemental information to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and to compare with past and future periods. Management also uses certain non-GAAP measures internally for forecasting, budgeting, and measuring its operating performance. These measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The methods used by the Company to calculate its non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods used by other companies to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. A reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided below and on the Company's website at investors.DICKS.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Involving Known and Unknown Risks and Uncertainties

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond our control. Our future performance and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon by investors as a prediction of actual results. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the Company's future performance, including 2019 outlook for earnings and sales; our expectation that we will deliver positive comp sales beginning in the second quarter; our investments in business transformation initiatives; anticipated store openings and store relocations; capital expenditures; and share repurchases.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes in consumer discretionary spending; our eCommerce platform not producing the anticipated benefits within the expected time-frame or at all; risks relating to our private brand offerings and new retail concepts; the investments in business transformation initiatives not producing the anticipated benefits within the expected time-frame or at all; the amount that we devote to strategic investments and the timing and success of those investments; the integration of strategic acquisitions being more difficult, time-consuming, or costly than expected; inventory turn; changes in the competitive market and competition amongst retailers, including an increase in promotional activity; changes in consumer demand or shopping patterns and our ability to identify new trends and have the right trending products in our stores and on our website; changes in existing tax, labor and other laws and regulations, including those changing tax rates and imposing new taxes and surcharges; limitations on the availability of attractive retail store sites; omni-channel growth; unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information; website downtime, disruptions or other problems with our eCommerce platform, including interruptions, delays or downtime caused by high volumes of users or transactions, deficiencies in design or implementation, or platform enhancements; disruptions or other problems with our information systems; factors affecting our vendors, including supply chain and currency risks; talent needs and the loss of Edward W. Stack, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; developments with sports leagues, professional athletes or sports superstars; weather-related disruptions and seasonality of our business; and risks associated with being a controlled company.

For additional information on these and other factors that could affect our actual results, see our risk factors, which may be amended from time to time, set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent Annual Report filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018 and our Quarterly Report filed with the SEC on November 29, 2018. The Company disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date of this release.

About DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Founded in 1948, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of February 2, 2019, the Company operated 729 DICK'S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated teammates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK'S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream specialty stores, as well as DICK'S Team Sports HQ, an all-in-one youth sports digital platform offering scheduling, communications and live scorekeeping through its GameChanger mobile apps, free league management services, custom uniforms and fan wear and access to donations and sponsorships. DICK'S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. For more information, visit the Investor Relations page at dicks.com.

Cost of goods sold includes: the cost of merchandise (inclusive of vendor allowances, inventory shrinkage and inventory write-downs for the lower of cost and net realizable value); freight; distribution; shipping; and store occupancy costs. The Company defines merchandise margin as net sales less the cost of merchandise sold.

Cost of goods sold includes: the cost of merchandise (inclusive of vendor allowances, inventory shrinkage and inventory write-downs for the lower of cost and net realizable value); freight; distribution; shipping; and store occupancy costs. The Company defines merchandise margin as net sales less the cost of merchandise sold.

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

243,830

237,651

Deferred income taxes

(5,258)

42,453

Stock-based compensation

41,941

36,239

Other non-cash items

934

5,327

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

16,215

(208)

Inventories

(94,131)

(71,751)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

10,980

(29,072)

Accounts payable

125,632

124,628

Accrued expenses

21,372

13,597

Income taxes payable / receivable

7,964

(39,347)

Deferred construction allowances

27,730

101,712

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

(4,318)

1,636

Net cash provided by operating activities

712,755

746,310

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Capital expenditures

(198,219)

(474,347)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

—

(8,957)

Deposits and purchases of other assets

—

(2,344)

Net cash used in investing activities

(198,219)

(485,648)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Revolving credit borrowings

1,875,400

2,742,800

Revolving credit repayments

(1,875,400)

(2,742,800)

Proceeds from term loan

—

62,492

Payments on other long-term debt and leasing obligations

(5,242)

(2,531)

Construction allowance receipts

—

—

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

—

16,558

Minimum tax withholding requirements

(5,428)

(5,841)

Cash paid for treasury stock

(323,352)

(284,583)

Cash dividends paid to stockholders

(89,273)

(73,099)

Decrease in bank overdraft

(78,799)

(37,236)

Net cash used in financing activities

(502,094)

(324,240)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(42)

54

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

12,400

(63,524)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

101,253

164,777

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

113,653

$

101,253

Store Count and Square Footage

The following represents a reconciliation of beginning and ending stores and square footage for the periods indicated:

Store Count:

Fiscal 2018

Fiscal 2017

DICK'S Sporting Goods(1)

Specialty Concept Stores(1)

Total

DICK'S Sporting Goods(1)

Specialty Concept Stores(1)

Total

Beginning stores

716

129

845

676

121

797

Q1 New stores

8

—

8

15

10

25

Q2 New stores

5

—

5

13

—

13

Q3 New stores

6

—

6

15

6

21

Q4 New stores

—

—

—

—

—

—

Closed stores

6

—

6

3

8

11

Ending stores

729

129

858

716

129

845

Relocated stores

4

1

5

7

1

8

Square Footage:(in millions)

DICK'S Sporting Goods(1)

Specialty Concept Stores(1)

Total(2)

Q1 2017

36.8

3.5

40.3

Q2 2017

37.4

3.5

40.9

Q3 2017

38.2

3.7

41.9

Q4 2017

38.0

3.7

41.7

Q1 2018

38.4

3.7

42.1

Q2 2018

38.7

3.7

42.3

Q3 2018

38.8

3.6

42.4

Q4 2018

38.6

3.6

42.2

(1)

Includes the Company's Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream and other specialty concept stores. In some markets we operate DICK'S Sporting Goods stores adjacent to our specialty concept stores on the same property with a pass-through for customers. We refer to this format as a "combo store" and include combo store openings within both the DICK'S Sporting Goods and specialty concept store reconciliations, as applicable. As of February 2, 2019, the Company operated 23 combo stores.

The following table represents a reconciliation of the Company's gross capital expenditures to its capital expenditures, net of tenant allowances.

Fiscal Year Ended

February 2, 2019

February 3, 2018

(dollars in thousands)

Gross capital expenditures

$

(198,219)

$

(474,347)

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions

—

—

Deferred construction allowances

27,730

101,712

Construction allowance receipts

—

—

Net capital expenditures

$

(170,489)

$

(372,635)

Fiscal 2017 Net Sales Adjusted for the 53rd Week

Net sales adjusted for the extra week during the 14 and 53 weeks ended February 3, 2018 is presented below to illustrate the impact of the extra week on reported net sales in comparison to reported results for the 13 and 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019.